Are all external HDDs pretty much the same?

[Anubis]

i just need one to put data on,

i DO NOT want one to use for backups

i want to use it like a normal HDD but just not have it in the computer

can the ones like the Maxtor one touch do this or no?

im thinking of something in the 160GB range USB2

 

[PCHPlayer]

If you are going to buy a pre-assembled drive, I would pick an external with the same criteria as used to choose an internal drive. This is of course assuming that Maxtor external drives have Maxtor internal drives inside.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: PCHPlayer
If you are going to buy a pre-assembled drive, I would pick an external with the same criteria as used to choose an internal drive. This is of course assuming that Maxtor external drives have Maxtor internal drives inside.

i woudl assume they do, i was actually thinking of getting a seagate

however i dont its not clear if they will work as stand alone drives and not just backupdrives

 

[H2Opolodude]

i have a 160 maxtor exteral works great and very durable.....i didnt see it sitting on the floor, and walked rigth over it. works great

 

[hippotautamus]

just buy an HDD and get an enclosure. Cheaper, and you can avoid maxtor altogether (they are quite bad).

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: hippotautamus
just buy an HDD and get an enclosure. Cheaper, and you can avoid maxtor altogether (they are quite bad).

160 GB seagate HDD is 105$ and a belkin enclosure is 50$

or the seagate 160GB external hdd is 158$

im failing to see the cheapness

 

[SkyBum]

I just bought a Seagate 300Gb IDE internal hard drive from Outpost.com for 119.00 after rebate w/ free shipping (offer ends thursday night). I also grabbed a Vantec Nexstar 3 external USB hard drive enclosure from Newegg.com for 39.99 + ~6.00 S&H for a total of $165.

Thats $165 for 300 gig of external Seagate storage.
Compare that to $189 at Newegg for for a pre-assembled Seagate 160 gig external unit and you'll see that assembling your own will net you an extra 140 gig for $24 less.

Seagate 300 w/Vantec Nexstar 3 = $ .55/gigabyte = $165
Seagate 160 Pre-assembled = $1.18/gigabyte = $189

Is that enough cheapness for you?

EDIT: forgot to add, the Seagate 300 ide is OOS at Outpost until wednesday next week, but the offer is still valid. You just gotta wait an extra week to get it.

 

[Anubis]

i seriously loath mail in rebates and im pretty positive that i wont even bother with it

thanks for the info tho

 

[corkyg]

Forget rebates - right now, Newegg has a 160 GB drive for $87.00. They also have an external drive case for $29.99. Put 'em together and you have $116.99. The 160GB Maxtor external assembly is $157.50. Why pay $40 for the "one-touch" software? Basically, all pre-packaged external drives are comparatively a rip-off.

 

[SkyBum]

No prob.

I've never been burned yet so I guess I don't hold the same sentiment toward rebates as you do.

 

[Anubis]

well seeing as the cost is being split 2 ways - B day present for a friend, arnt I awsome

got this enclsure - because the one Sky mentioned was OOS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817146312

and this 300 GB HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144391

 

[drifter106]

Originally posted by: SkyBum
I just bought a Seagate 300Gb IDE internal hard drive from Outpost.com for 119.00 after rebate w/ free shipping (offer ends thursday night). I also grabbed a Vantec Nexstar 3 external USB hard drive enclosure from Newegg.com for 39.99 + ~6.00 S&H for a total of $165.

Thats $165 for 300 gig of external Seagate storage.
Compare that to $189 at Newegg for for a pre-assembled Seagate 160 gig external unit and you'll see that assembling your own will net you an extra 140 gig for $24 less.

Seagate 300 w/Vantec Nexstar 3 = $ .55/gigabyte = $165
Seagate 160 Pre-assembled = $1.18/gigabyte = $189

Is that enough cheapness for you?

EDIT: forgot to add, the Seagate 300 ide is OOS at Outpost until wednesday next week, but the offer is still valid. You just gotta wait an extra week to get it.

I did basically the same thing with a seagate 200gig internal hard drive from outpost. Caught it on sale with a rebate from seagate ( I have heard some people having problems with getting their rebate back but this will be my 3rd rebate, other two went just fine just took a while to get it). Bought an inclosure to house the unit. Have a 5 year warranty with the hard drive and spent a total of $93 on hard drive and enclosure, that includes all shipping AND that price is after rebate. Windows xp pick it up right away with no problem. Real handy, haven't had any problems, works just as if you had another drive in your puter. Was going to get a Maxtor external until I ran across some threads in these forums talking about this type of set up.

Something you might want to consider before you commit yourself....

happy hunting!!!!!!!!!!!